I recently read this statement in a blog post:
“Judaism does not need Christianity to explain its existence, but Christianity cannot explain its existence without Judaism.”
I believe the author of this post was probably quoting John Hagee, whom I have heard make very similar statements. In any case, this statement is not entirely true.
Judaism without Christianity as its fulfillment cannot explain its existence, since without Christ it would have no reason to exist in the first place. The nation of Israel was created by God for the purpose of bringing Jesus Christ to the earth to redeem mankind— both Jews and Gentiles— by His substitutionary death, burial and resurrection. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham:
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. — Acts 3:25,26
About six years ago I began to hear some in the church say that Christians shouldn’t preach the gospel to Jews. I went along with this for a while, since I trusted the people who were saying theses things, but after searching the scriptures for myself I began to see that this isn’t a Biblically sound doctrine. Peter established the New Testament doctrine of preaching Jesus to the Jews in Acts chapter 2:
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. —Acts 2:36-38 (emphasis added)
And in Acts chapter 3:
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. —Acts 3:13-15
And in Acts chapter 4:
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. —Acts 4:10-12 (emphasis added)
And again in Acts chapter 5:
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. —Acts 5:30-32
As far as I can tell this was the only sermon outline that Peter had. These words were not well received by some people when Peter first spoke them, and some people don’t like them now, but they are truth: the Holy Spirit speaks them yet today. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).
So why are some in the church taking scripture out of textual and historical context and trying to construct reasonings that are in conflict with the doctrine of the apostles and the gospel of Jesus Christ?
I support Israel. I think all Christians should, especially in America, now that the Obama administration has treated them with such undeserved contempt. They are part of our spiritual heritage, and we should support them as much as we can. But that doesn’t give us license to compromise the gospel for the sake of friendship or political expediency. The Bible tells us in Romans 13:8, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another.” Telling someone that they are right with God apart from Jesus is not love. You may make a friend on earth, but they could go on to spend eternity separated from God. If you led someone in that direction, then who’s fault would that be?
Selah.
Those in the church who are misleading Jews concerning their eternal salvation should get back to preaching the gospel, as Paul did in the book of Romans:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. —Romans 1:16
Fortunately, there are Jewish believers and organizations who are proclaiming Jesus Messiah. All Christians— both Jews and Gentiles— should follow their example and do the same.
For more on this, I highly recommend “Seeing Jesus, Part 7″ by Keith Moore:
Scroll down to Sunday, March 15, 2009, Pt. 07 – John 3 – The New Birth
If you only watch one video a year, then make it this one!
